London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of leading blue-chip companies rose almost 0.2 percent to 7,544.53 points, compared with the closing level on Wednesday.

Across in the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 added nearly 0.4 percent to 13,235.19 points and the Paris CAC 40 climbed 0.5 percent to 5,510.59 points.